HC Empire

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Scripts, Languages & Texts

Scripts

• Alayan - The administrative script used by bureaucrats and for formal documents. In truth, it is a Hugaar script and was a gift from the former Saurian masters, but has come to be known as Alayan over the years. Most churches have a copy of A Life of Truth written in Old Rendish with the Alayan script.

• Rend - Block writing used in the carvings of A Life of Truth, in the Stone Library. During attempts at unifying the Sturian Curch, this script was widely disseminated in copies made of A Life of Truth. This move was later regretted and these texts are now forbidden.

Languages

• Alayan - Although ostensibly an offshoot of Sird, Alayan is heavily influenced by the their former masters, the Saurians.

• Goblin tongues - Within the Empire, goblins usually speak Sirdish and the local human language. They have largely abandoned their original tongues, although they have ported many terms into their Sirdish speech. Beyond the Empire, who knows was they speak.

• Old Rendish - the language of A Life of Truth, in the Stone Library. Spoken in ancient times and usually used in religious proceedings. Most copies of A Life of Truth are in Old Rendish, which few understand.

• Potoman - spoken in Potomanchu.

• Sirdish - The modern descendant of Old Rendish, and the lingua franca of the Empire. Although there are many regional dialects, people will usually switch to Sird when in the company of foreigners. Some priests conduct their ceremonies in Sirdish, although this is forbidden.

• Vister languages - There are several broad groups of Vister tongues. The Quartz Ridge speak a dialect of Gerlug.

Texts

• Administrative texts and communications - written in Alayan, using the Alayan script.
• Book of Hours - small, portable books carried by priests. Written in Old Rendish using the Alayan script.
• The Heartstone Codex - is written in Sirdish using the Alayan script. If widely known, this would be considered heretical.

Symbols

• The predominant holy symbol of the Sturian Church is the top of a mountain, with Huth's feet planted upon it. This is stylised in various ways. This finds more complexity in fuller designs, in iconic paintings in churches or in tapestries. Here, Huth is usually portrayed in full, as a victorious god clutching the Sun in his right hand. The other hand can be employed in various ways. At St. Alcuin's, for example, it is open and pointed towards the giant Sturt, who is sat at the god's feet engraving A Life of Truth.

• The insignia of the Empire is a hand holding a glowing orb, to demonstrate mastery.

Customs

Everyone in the Empire knows that the Gods, the Giants and Nymphs of legend, and the Saints, reincarnate and walk among us in various guises. Some of the customs derive from this.

• Buildings and Lornsons. As Lornsons are accorded great respect in the Empire, most of the more notable buildings are constructed with large portals and high ceilings. The reverse is true in service quarters of a building - it would be quite bizarre to construct high doors as a Lornson would never be expected to enter.

• Giftstones. It is customary, when meeting a stranger for the first time, to exchange Giftstones or Godstones. A stranger could be a reincarnated god, and it would be unwise to cross a god. Therefore, citizens carry with them stones, usually of varying worth, to be exchanged according to the stranger met. In some circles, semi-precious or even gem stones are used. In others, carved and smoothed wooden 'pebbles' may be gifted, as a sign of the gifter's humility.

• Hathari, Lornsons and Priests are universally accorded great respect.

• Hospitality. Again, a stranger knocking at your door may be a god, so it is customary to give hospitality to anyone who comes seeking it.